Google Incorporated has added photos to its map search service to help users match a mapped destination to a place in the real world more easily. The Mountain View, California-based company pulls the images from online pictures indexed by its internet image search, or from photos uploaded to the map service. Business owners can submit their photos for use in Google Maps by uploading them to the company's Local Business Center directory service.

"They say a picture is worth a thousand words, which is why we've added photos to Google Maps local search," Google Maps product manager Jess lee wrote on the internet search giant's blog. The service includes photos of "buildings, storefronts, signs and logos — especially helpful if you're going somewhere for the first time," Lee wrote.